The World of Movies: The Apartment
Written by Rachael Crawley
The World of Movies is a series that explores global cinema, drawing on films from many countries, industries and eras. This week, we go on a wild ride in Sri Lanka.
The Apartment.
May contain spoilers.
The Apartment (Sahan Fernando/Dulina Chandrasiri, 2021) is a tale that has been told again and again – namely, the desire to move up in the world. Where this film differs is in its laser-focused approach and its unique setting, both of which breathe a new energy into a familiar story.
A young family man (Bandhuka Premawardhana) gets in a car on the way to work. Desperate to achieve success, most notably an apartment in a luxury neighbourhood, he has taken on a potentially dangerous task for a mysterious new boss. As the film unfolds, we watch him start to lose control, putting both the job and his future at risk.
Premawardhana is virtually a solo performer here, as other characters are only heard over the phone. He goes through a range of different situations in eighteen short minutes, and he ably tackles the role’s challenges, particularly as things fall apart. His combination of composure and panic is a difficult balance, but he handles it smoothly. The character is appealingly written and his motivations are clear, but without a strong lead actor, this movie simply would not work.
Fortunately, he is backed by some pretty dynamic direction, which is essential, as the film is almost entirely contained within his car. Thanks to the quick pacing and Premawardhana’s performance, the film is definitely not limited by its setting. Its clever editing makes the most of the tight story – there are only a few angles in play, but it never drags. One issue is that the subtitles can be hard to see, particularly when against the white car – a possible issue for international viewers.
The Apartment is a slick demonstration of filmmaking skill, and it has attracted attention on the awards circuit. While it could easily be stretched into a longer piece – and indeed, it would have been fun to dive more deeply into some of the concepts it explores – it does well with its restricted setting of one character in one moment. For a thoughtful crime film and an excellent lead performance, this short is definitely worth a watch.
Rachael Crawley holds a Master's Degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Toronto Metropolitan University, and has worked with film in Canada and in Europe. She adores language and cinema, and how these subjects interact with each other.